McLeod becomes sixth California House member to head for exits

WASHINGTON -- Rep. Gloria Negrete McLeod, a freshman Democrat, announced Tuesday that she will run for San Bernardino County supervisor rather than Congress, becoming the sixth California House member to head for the exits and potentially creating yet another competitive race.

"My heart is here in the district," she said in a written statement.

After agonizing over whether to run for reelection to Congress or a seat on the Board of Supervisors, "my desire to represent this community locally, where I have lived for more than 40 years, and where I have long served as an elected official, won out," she said.

Negrete McLeod, 72, a former state lawmaker, defeated a fellow Democrat, then-Rep. Joe Baca of Rialto, to win election to the House in 2012.

Baca said by telephone Tuesday that he was still planning to run for the seat being vacated by retiring Rep. Gary Miller (R-Rancho Cucamonga) but added that he was keeping his options open.

Democrats Henry A. Waxman of Beverly Hills and George Miller of Martinez and Republicans Howard "Buck" McKeon of Santa Clarita and John Campbell of Irvine have announced they are retiring when their terms end.

Filing for the June 3 primary is open until March 12 in races without an incumbent.